Josh Killeen, a 19-year-old from Glenshane Crescent in Tallaght, has been jailed following a series of high-speed chases and his suspected involvement with a major criminal network known as the “Lucky Dip” burglary gang.
The “Lucky Dip” Gang Connection
Killeen is suspected of being one of the “drivers” for the “Lucky Dip” gang, a network comprising up to 60 young criminals. This group has been linked to hundreds of car thefts and home burglaries throughout Leinster.
Sources indicate that Killeen had been wreaking havoc in the Dublin area as part of the gang’s operations before his eventual apprehension.
A Pattern of High-Speed Chaos
The court heard that Killeen was involved in a terrifying one-hour chase on the M50 Southbound while driving a stolen Honda Stream. During the incident, he drove against the flow of traffic, forcing gardaí to stand down and initiate a road block to protect the public.
The chase ended when Killeen collided with a curb, causing the vehicle to flip onto its roof. While four other men fled across six lanes of the motorway, Killeen remained trapped in the driver’s seat and had to be cut out of the car before being taken to hospital.
The Arrest in Sallynoggin
Despite being charged in January 2025, Killeen caused further chaos while on bail during a second high-speed chase in the Sallynoggin area of Dublin. Following the theft of a van at 2:15 am, Killeen was clocked at 120 km/hr in a 50 km/hr zone, breaking two red lights and driving on the wrong side of the road.
Killeen eventually abandoned the van in a ditch on the M50 and attempted to hide in dense thorn bushes. He was located via a Garda helicopter and subdued by a trained dog named Roxy after failing to comply and being found in possession of a knife.
Sentencing and Legal Consequences
Killeen appeared before the Dublin Circuit Court, where he pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen motorbike on March 9, 2025, as well as counts of endangerment on November 3, 2024, and January 31, 2025.
Judge Orla Crowe described the driving as “really serious” and noted that gardaí risked their own lives to protect the public. Killeen already had five previous convictions, including unauthorised taking of a vehicle and dangerous driving, and was disqualified from driving at the time of these latest offences.
The judge imposed consecutive sentences totaling three years, with the final 12 months suspended under strict conditions. Killeen has also been disqualified from driving for four years.
Future Implications
Given the judge’s comment that there is still “hope” for Killeen, his future may depend on his ability to cease “thrill-seeking behaviour.” A possible next step for the legal system could be the activation of the suspended 12-month sentence if the strict conditions of his release are breached.
as the “Lucky Dip” gang consists of a large network, gardaí may continue to use specialized units and aerial surveillance to target other “drivers” within the organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Josh Killeen?
Josh Killeen is a 19-year-old from Glenshane Crescent in Tallaght who was suspected of being a driver for the “Lucky Dip” burglary gang.
What is the “Lucky Dip” gang?
The “Lucky Dip” gang is a network of up to 60 young criminals linked to hundreds of car thefts and home burglaries across Leinster.
What was the final sentence handed to Killeen?
Judge Orla Crowe imposed consecutive sentences totaling three years, suspending the final 12 months on strict conditions, and disqualified him from driving for four years.
Do you believe suspended sentences are an effective deterrent for repeat dangerous driving offences?
